Canoe Prow Shield

Wooden canoe prow shield in a ‘W’ shape with the outer edges lined with cassowary feathers. The shield consists of flat wood pieces mounted onto a bamboo frame. The surface is painted with yellow, orange and brown stylized geometric shapes on a white ground. In the middle is a protruding, elongated shape face with round shell inlaid projecting eyes and a long ridged nose with flaring nostrils. The mouth is open with a slightly protruding tongue. The face is painted in a similar fashion to the rest of the shield. Two bamboo sticks protrude from bottom for support.